HANDS Feedback 

HANDS team members talk about their experiences building schools in the developing world. 

"I'm not even sure how to put it all into words, but I am blown away by the work being done in Nicaragua through WWCS and the partners at the Nehemiah Center." - Lynell, HANDS Team to Nicaragua

"This trip opened my eyes to how much more God could be a part of my life. It helped me to see that material things are just so much a part of our culture that I did not even notice they were there separating me from Christ. 

During the time spent at the school in Estelí I had the opportunity to meet a lot of girls my age.  I was intimidated by them at first.  I figured they probably thought I was some gringa (North American) who thought I was everything and could save them with all my money.  The reaction I actually got from them was the exact opposite. 

One day I joined in their futbol (soccer) game.  After that they wouldn't let me leave, insisting that I stay and play soccer until our bus was about to drive away.  I never felt any prejudice from them.  They accepted me as one of their own, and taught me how to value other people, not be afraid of strangers, and how much more God is worth than any material thing you could ever need.  One day I complimented a girl on her necklace, and the next day she found me and gave it to me.  Some of these people are actually praying for their daily bread, and that anyone would give me anything was way beyond any of my expectations. 

These girls worship a large, powerful, loving God, who is at least twice the size of the one I had known before.  God constantly amazes me, and through these girls He opened my eyes to how big He really is, and how much more a part of my life He will become." - Rachael, HANDS Team to Nicaragua

"Thank you for all [WWCS] did for our trip to Belize.  This was a trip none of us will ever forget.  It was such a privilege for us, people who have benefited from Christian education, to bless others with this benefit.  We're grateful for you and the ministry you do in so many different countries.  May the Lord continue to bless you all as He works through you to glorify our Heavenly Father... The Lord was with us every step of this trip and we're thankful we can continue to help Belize Faith Mission." - Nick, HANDS Team to Belize

"[After this trip], I am much more conscious of the world 'out there', rather than just my own little circle.  I am so impressed with the Christian education movement in the Dominican Republic and feel strongly that it will impact lives where it can make a great difference." - Karen, HANDS Team to the Dominican Republic

"I was looking at your website this morning and noticed the write-up on the graduating class of the Bermejo school in the Dominican Republic. I was on the team that began the building of this school in, January of 2003/2004. What a time we had!  It was great to be there with the kids and families. We had a very emotional farewell too when we prepared to leave the village. But, what really blew me away was the opportunity to go back a year later with another team and actually visit Bermejo and see the beautiful school and see the children and teachers involved in Christian education in this remote and poor village. Just wonderful.  And today to see the graduation exercises in pictures and to read the story. WOW. That's what keeps me going on these HANDS teams. What an impact we can have in the lives of children and in our own lives as a bonus.
Praise God for all His blessings!" - Henry, HANDS Team to the Dominican Republic

"The greatest blessing of all was to see the faces of the teachers as they thanked us for the work we managed to accomplish.  By the time the luggage was packed into the vans for the final trip to the airport, our hearts were joined with the support staff there...  These dear folks were all gathered on the driveway, waving as we were leaving.  They were blurry through our tears, for we had truly learned to love them as we worked with them...  When we look around now at the world we live in, whether here in Iowa or in our hometowns across the country, we have a new perspective."  - Ron, HANDS Team to the Dominican Republic

"I'm starting my first year [as a teacher] at Santiago Christian School in the Dominican Republic.  I am so excited to be here serving God and these children, especially my 4th grade class.  I just wanted to let you know that I was here and a lot of it had to do with my trips with Trinity's education department to Belize and Honduras with WWCS.  Another one of those on the Belize trip is here too, starting her fourth year here as a kindergarten teacher." - Allison, HANDS Teams to Belize and Honduras

"This trip impacted me so much more than I had expected when I first heard that we were going to go to Nicaragua.  I was like, 'Sweet, another country for me to add.'  But that wasn't what I thought when I got down there to the school.  I wasn't sure what to think of at first, but once we stepped onto the school grounds it was just so amazing.  The feeling is just too great to even begin to explain.  All the kids just swarmed up to you, and started hugging you and kissing your cheek.  They also wanted to all hold your hand, so there were three or four little hands trying to all hold onto your hand at the same time...  The older kids loved us being there just as much; they let us play soccer with them every time they were on a break.  They didn't care that we didn't speak that much Spanish, they communicated in a way that worked instead.  A lot of the kids would try to help you learn some Spanish.  They would have a lot of patience with you when you were trying to figure out something that they had said.

I made some really good friends there, and I hope I can still communicate with them.  Maybe I will see them again...  On the way home, I thought a lot about the trip.  I decided that I would give up my lifestyle here in the US to live there with the people who didn't make a big deal about things, and who were just so welcoming and loving.  I felt like I wasn't leaving for good, just a short goodbye.  It was like God was telling me that I needed to go back to Estelí and serve and help more people.  So I hope that will happen, because I felt like I was in a place that I would like to call home." -Lisa, HANDS Team to Nicaragua